The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-11-09
How The United States Won
and Lost an Island Group.

The King Of Denmark con-
sented on oath Of October, 1867, TO a
solemn treaty for the sale of his West
Indian islands 20 the United States.
Ratification was made by stipulation TO
be contingent on the favorable vote Of
the West Indian subjects. The
9th OF January was appointed for casting
the vote. The inhabitants recall it now
rs the brightest holiday the quaint town
has ever witnessed. Reioirings with
guns and ringing bells. accompanied the
ceremony. which was furthermore cheer
cd and enlivened 10y professions and
serenade> Star-spangled banners float
"a from every roof and tower, while in
the decorations American blue was snb-
stituted for Danish scarlet. The star and
stripes waved over the cross of Denmark,
aud Hail Columbia became by repe-
tition. echoed from tine hesurrounding hills,
as familiar as King Christian the
Danish national hymn.
The ballot cast was decleared unani-
inoas in favor of annexation 10 the Uni-
ted States, there being but twenty-five
votes east sainst it in st. Thomas, and
( not one dissenting voice at St. John.
( Other independent states have adopted
/ the American republican system, and by
50 doing have Justly claimed special right
TO our sympathy and protection. The
. irst case on record, however, in which a
+ prosperous. peaceful, loyal, and contented
community has freely and without the
prospective Of special commercial gain,
4 voted away it, natural allegiance and
adopted totally different rule, is that OF
the Danish West Indians voting them
; selves American citizens by Joyous accla-
nation. The record Ot another national
conquest, 80 proud and peaceful, does
not exist in all history. and It iis incom-
prehensible that no response should ever
have been made to it by the nation to
whom this matchless tribute Of confidence
and lmiration was 50 gratuitously paid.
Denmark was now irrevocably commit
ted to the transaction, and could show
no reason for Withholding the last acts OF
contamination.
When the news of the vote reached
Copenhagen the Rigsdag ratified the
treaty without bate, and the king, on
January 81, 1868, as promptly signed
Meantime the fierce political storm
was raging at Washington, and no motto,
was taken Of the treaty, recommended tC
the consideration of the Senate by a pres
idential message weeks before The in
strnment itself lay buried in drawer oi
Mr.. Summers table, in the Foreign Re
laiions Committeeman.
IL is now known that in March, 1870
Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator
sumner at It's head, indorsed the one
word Adversely" on the st. Thoms,
treaty, and recommended Suspension %
action in regard to it; The matter VA
never brought before the Senate. anc
NAV be said to have been smothered
in committee.
1t mas been asserted that the friendl,
relations between the United States ans
Denmark were impaired from this mo
ment. How far this is true cannot b,
known withour rare penetration into the
silent dignity with which the sturd,
Danish people have borne the bitterness
serve'which has characterized all inter.
course between that small but indomita.
bic state with America since the course
Of the United States in this transaction
was fully known and comprehended. -
Sc39Jaers Naga-ine ior Norembr.